Do you have a question about the future of the Internet? Want to learn more about secretive Trans-Pacific Partnership's (TPP) Internet trap? Have an idea for how we can reach more people with theStopTheTrap.net campaign?

Stop the Trap! Send a message to governments involved in the TPP to make the process transparent, accountable, and open to public participation and to all interested stakeholders.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) has been described as "NAFTA on steroids," a trade agreement designed in secret by lobbyists from big corporations and industry. The breathtaking power grab would allow them to essentially write their own regulations and circumvent democracy, granting them powers over our health, environment, internet use, labour rights, and more. The countries involved in negotiations are United States, Canada, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.

When Big Tobacco/Oil/Media/Pharma/Agriculture/Retail and other corporations get together to party, we know we're in for one hell of a hangover.

It started with a simple call in Adbusters, a Vancouver based anti-consumerist magazine, and once the workplace of Hello Cool World's own Katherine Dodds, senior graphic designer Terry Sunderland, and photographer Nancy Bleck. The copy was to-the-point: “Occupy Wall Street. September 17. Bring tent.” Since that call to action, thousands of cities around the world have been rallying together in support of the occupy movement.

This past Saturday, October 15, the movement reached Vancouver and Hello Cool World was there to cover the event. With Bella Sie and a camera in tow, we hit the crowd to learn about what was on the people’s minds. Numerous social, economic, and political ideas were being shared. The talk of “change” was a constant and the vibe of the crowd while being incredibly peaceful and happy – it was clear motivation was in the air.

This movement has sparked a dialog though a gambit of people. Young to old voices are hitting the streets. The occupy movement has inspired various groups of people to band together and collectively bring awareness to the fundamental problems that plague society. At Occupy Vancouver I had a chance to speak with a lady named Galena. She was there with her fiancé Bruce, both holding signs stating that they are the 99 %. The 99% of the population that is not satisfied with the way our governments have been governing. They were not alone - fellow occupiers discussed the issues of corporate greed and the destruction of our natural resources. Overall the issues that were being discussed were important and vital to our communities. When you want to help people it is never a negative thing to stand up for what you believe in.

I recently had the privilege of meeting with the talented folks over at Kensington Communications that created RAW OPIUM: PAIN PLEASURE PROFITS, one of the documentary projects Hello Cool World has been involved with over the past year.

I was eager to sit down with producer Robert Lang and Kensington’s social media lead Amanda Connon-Unda to get a full update.

Kensington first approached Hello Cool World (HCW) last fall looking for strategy advice on self-distributing their film. In May, we worked with Kensington to host the world premiere of RAW OPIUM at DOXA and to strategize grassroots outreach across North America.

#IranElection is trending topic on twitter again. 30 years after the Takeover of the US embassy and hostage taking in Tehran, the green movement hijacked the traditionally govn't sanctioned event. Photos and videos are pouring in from the demonstrations that have been going on. Reza Sayah was on CNN (now on Youtube) -he describes what has been going on. And for a great history of US-Iran relationship going back to the pre-Shah era check out this short youtbube mini-doc.